That's what Paul and Sharon Herriott have lived by for some 35 years as owners of one of Vacaville's "landmarks," Diggers Deli.

Their reign of the popular restaurant in Alamo Plaza, however, has come to an end.

They will retire soon but, instead of closing, they are hoping to sell the deli to someone that will keep the tradition alive of offering good food in a friendly atmosphere.

"We've made the decision," Paul Herriott said. "We're hoping to sell but, even if it doesn't come about, we'll close."

"It will be bittersweet," Sharon Herriott said. "I would like to come back to visit with my friends. It would be odd not to have a Diggers."

If the couple can't find a buyer, the deli will likely close at the end of May.

"He's worked since he was 10 years old," she said. "It will be hard on Paul, but, when you really don't want to leave, you'll find any little thing as a reason to hold on."

They're looking forward to spending time with grandchildren, while Paul addresses some health issues, they said.

More than three decades ago, Paul gave up a stable job as a salesman to live his dream of opening a deli. A deal to open a deli in Placerville fell through, but an opportunity opened in Vacaville. After debating a name, the couple stuck with their original plan to go along with the mining theme and open a "Diggers."

"She was willing to give it all up to just try," he said of his wife.

He added that the odds were stacked against him, given that 95 percent of food businesses fail in five years.

"Looks like I beat the odds," Paul said.

"I even answer to Mrs. Digger, even though that's not my name," Sharon joked.

She also recalled a time when they first moved to Vacaville and opened the restaurant that she was asked to deliver an order to Mrs. Buck, the matriarch of the well-known Vacaville family.

"I didn't know Vacaville, so I asked for the address," she said, laughing. "Now I know where Buck Street and Buck Mansion are."

What's the key to their success?

"We treat our customers like friends and family," Paul said.

Toni McAlpin, who has worked at Diggers for 18 years, would agree.

"I really do believe they come for us," she said of her co-workers overflowing with pleasant personalities. "It's a great place to work. It's a family here and I like people."

She boasts that she can remember everybody's sandwich and joked that she wouldn't let customers change their minds.

"You name it, we've had it," she said. "People come in here from all walks of life and we treat everyone the same."

Florence Miller is 75 years old and has worked alongside the Herriotts for 33 years.

"I love the customers," she said. "We have the best customers in the world. When they come in mad or grumpy, they leave laughing."

Robert Triplett rode with a bicycling crew on their "Diggers Run" Friday morning for their coffee.

"It's a landmark here," he said.

Bob Pendleton, who has been a deli customer for 20 years, also rode his bike.

"I think they'll let us come to their house for coffee," he said after hearing that the restaurant could close. "It's a lovely place and that's all too rare these days. It feels like family."

It's truly been about the customers.

"A lot of things we sell, the customers initiated," Paul said

He added that when customers asked if they could drag the tables outside to eat, he decided to buy new tables for seating outside.

"It's all about what the customer wants," Paul said. "This business developed around the customers."